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Mixed experience for tennis team

DAVID HUNTERThe Cannon CourierThe Cannon County tennis team enters the 2015 season with a mixed bag of experience on both the girls' and boys' team. The boys' team is starting fresh, while the girls' team has three seniors looking to make a move in the tough district both as a team and individuals.

So far, the preseason has been tough, because of the winter weather around the area. It has cost both teams some practice time since the team does not have an indoor practice facility. However, the Lions have been pleased with the way the team has come together during the limited practice time, especially getting the new players used to the high school tennis style of play.

"It has been going pretty smoothly," CCHS senior Sarah Hickman said during practice last week. "We got a lot of new players on the team this season."

Returning head coach Ronny Burks knows he has a tough task ahead of him this season, especially on the boys' side since none of the four players have experience playing competitive high school tennis. So, he is hoping some the senior leadership from the girls' side will be passed down to the less experienced players on both squads.

"Hopefully, the inexperienced players can watch how they play and prepare for matches," Burks said before practice last week. "So that should help improve their play."

The Lionettes are led by seniors, the Hickman sisters, Sarah and Katie, and Kristen McReynolds, while the boys' seniors include Daniel Davis and Jeremiah Mooneyham. Last season, Sarah Hickman advanced to the individual district semifinals and this will be her fourth season on the team. However, both the players and coach hope for better success this season, especially for the ladies.

"Hopefully, if I can get good play out of my senior girls, we will be able to have a little more success this year than last year," Burks said.However, if the Lions hope to compete for a district title both as a team and individuals, they will need to get through some tough competition, including powerhouses, Central Magnet, Goodpasture and Merrol Hyde. In the meantime, the team knows the schedule will make them better players."We have a pretty tough district, so we got to keep practicing and keep trying," Hickman said.Both teams host Watertown in a key district match today at 3:30 p.m.2015 Tennis Schedule (*District 8AA game)